Ask most gamers who were around during the Xbox 360 era, and despite the infamous Red Ring of Death, you'll likely hear a lot of fond memories. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion certainly created many of those cherished moments for Xbox 360 owners, including myself. At the time, I was working at Official Xbox Magazine, and while the successful port of The Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind never quite captured my interest, Oblivion grabbed me from the start. Originally planned as a launch title for the Xbox, our magazine did multiple cover stories on it, showcasing breathtaking screenshots that left everyone in awe. Eagerly, I volunteered for every trip to Bethesda's headquarters in Rockville, Maryland, to dive deeper into the game.

When it came time to review Oblivion, a task I eagerly took on, I returned to Rockville. I spent four glorious days in a conference room in Bethesda's basement, immersing myself in the stunning, expansive world of Cyrodiil. Over those four days, I logged 44 hours of gameplay before writing a 9.5 out of 10 review for OXM, a rating I stand by to this day. Oblivion was an incredible game with gripping quests like the Dark Brotherhood, hidden surprises such as the unicorn, and so much more. I played a near-final build on an Xbox 360 debug kit, which meant starting over when I finally got my retail copy, but I happily invested another 130 hours into the game. Now, with the remastered version released on modern platforms, I'm thrilled to relive those experiences.

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Screenshots

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For younger gamers who grew up with Skyrim, the remastered release of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is their first "new" mainline Elder Scrolls game since Skyrim's debut over 13 years ago. While we all eagerly await The Elder Scrolls VI, which is still likely years away, this remaster offers a fresh experience. However, I doubt it will resonate with them the same way it did for me back in March 2006. It's a two-decade-old game, and while Bethesda did a fantastic job with the remaster, it doesn't have the same groundbreaking visual impact it had back then, especially with subsequent games like Fallout 3, Skyrim, Fallout 4, and Starfield building upon its foundation.

Oblivion was the right game at the right time, taking full advantage of HD televisions and expanding the scope of open-world gaming. It was a revelation for console gamers accustomed to 640x480 resolution. My memories of Oblivion are filled with discovery and adventure. For new players, I recommend either rushing through the main quest or saving it until you've explored every side quest and activity. The Oblivion gates will start spawning once you begin the main questline, so sealing them off early can enhance your experience.

The technological leap from Morrowind to Oblivion was monumental, and while we may not see such a leap again until The Elder Scrolls VI, playing Oblivion Remastered still offers a rich medieval fantasy world full of surprises and adventures. It remains my favorite Elder Scrolls game, and I'm delighted it's been brought back to life, even if the surprise release was somewhat spoiled beforehand.